Studio Apartment Rent in Tuscaloosa, AL
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Tuscaloosa, Alabama as of July 2026. That's +32% lower than the citywide median of $1,433 and +24% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Tuscaloosa
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Tuscaloosa
Compare Tuscaloosa's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Alabama
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jasper | $590 |
| 2 | Gadsden | $620 |
| 3 | Daleville | $670 |
| 4 | Enterprise | $670 |
| 5 | Florence | $670 |
| 6 | Ozark | $670 |
| 7 | Jacksonville | $680 |
| 8 | Cullman | $700 |
| 9 | Troy | $750 |
| 10 | Decatur | $755 |
| 11 | Oxford | $760 |
| 12 | Opelika | $765 |
| 13 | Saraland | $780 |
| 14 | Dothan | $783 |
| 15 | Muscle Shoals | $790 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Alabama
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helena | $1,450 |
| 2 | Owens Cross Roads | $1,390 |
| 3 | Calera | $1,290 |
| 4 | Hoover | $1,270 |
| 5 | Madison | $1,253 |
| 6 | Pike Road | $1,240 |
| 7 | Pelham | $1,220 |
| 8 | Vestavia Hills | $1,210 |
| 9 | Trussville | $1,210 |
| 10 | Homewood | $1,210 |
| 11 | Meridianville | $1,180 |
| 12 | Spanish Fort | $1,170 |
| 13 | Chelsea | $1,170 |
| 14 | Fairhope | $1,140 |
| 15 | Alabaster | $1,120 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Tuscaloosa.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northport, AL | 4.9 mi | $890 | $-88 (-9%) |
| Mc Calla, AL | 30.2 mi | $930 | $-48 (-5%) |
| Hueytown, AL | 35.1 mi | $1,010 | +$32 (+3%) |
| Bessemer, AL | 40.4 mi | $890 | $-88 (-9%) |
| Helena, AL | 42.6 mi | $1,450 | +$472 (+48%) |
| Montevallo, AL | 44.1 mi | $890 | $-88 (-9%) |
| Jasper, AL | 44.9 mi | $590 | $-388 (-40%) |
| Adamsville, AL | 45 mi | $920 | $-58 (-6%) |
| Midfield, AL | 45.1 mi | $910 | $-68 (-7%) |
| Hoover, AL | 49 mi | $1,270 | +$292 (+30%) |
| Alabaster, AL | 50.3 mi | $1,120 | +$142 (+15%) |
| Forestdale, AL | 50.5 mi | $890 | $-88 (-9%) |
Studio rent in Tuscaloosa — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Tuscaloosa?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is $978 per month. This is +32% below the citywide median of $1,433.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Tuscaloosa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $39,120 ($3,260/month gross), which works out to roughly $18.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Tuscaloosa expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Tuscaloosa's studio median of $978 is +24% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 25th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Tuscaloosa rank for studio rent in Alabama?
Among the 65 cities in Alabama with studio data, Tuscaloosa ranks #42 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Tuscaloosa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Northport ($890), Mc Calla ($930), Bessemer ($890).